Machine for separating metal sheets.



'S. TROOD.

MACHINE FOR SEPARATING METAL SHEETS. APPLICATION FILED JULY I8. 1914.

1 ,207, 668. Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

WHNESSES: Samuel "Wood NVEN OR 0h); fill gnaw MAWJW ATTORNEY S.TRO0D MAEHINE FOR SEPARATING METAL SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I8, 1914.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

3-SHEET$-SHEET 2.

Samuei Tvoori.

INVENTOR W N mm H HRH :MJHW H H. NH. m m w Q mu T W H IMIUI IHNH .N M M N im m m\ m Hm. m M m m M HQ m n m 5w I! m gm v W E E ATTORNEY MACHINE FOR SEPARATIN G METAL SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED ULY 1a. 1914.

1,207,668. I Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WITNESSES: Samuel INVE/ITUR ATTORNEY UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL TROOLD, OF NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE INDUSIELIAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, 01? NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE non SEPARA'IING METAL SHEETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dee 5, 1916.

Application filed July 18, 1914. Serial No. 851,797.

To all whom itmay concern.

Be it known that I, SAMUEL Tuoon, [i citizen of the United States, and u resident of New Castle, in the county ofLuwrence and State of Pe'nnsyltuni'a, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Muchines for Separating Metal Sheets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metal plates or sheets, and it has particular reference to means whereby piles or stacks of metal plates, which have become somewhat cement ed together or uttnched toeuch other in various ways, may he quickly and conveniently separated without damaging the metzil. I

In order to illustrate the principles involved, the cuse of steel sheets such as are used in thc in'unufucture of these-caller] tin plate? will lu- :onside1"cd, although it v will he Ul'NlGIStOUd that the method and dev ideas which are upplicable here may also be used, w th the proper lTlOCl1fiClt10I1S, 111 nnny other cases where metul sheets require 1 separation.

In thefprocess of manufacturing steel plate there is a step, after the steel has been rolled down to a. certain thickness, iii-which it is folded double upon itself several times and the entire puck afterward rolled, thereby reducing the thickness of each sheet univ partly due to the formation of a slag which 'afcts' as a cement, partly due to the very inti-g' mate contact between the adjacent plate-s; and partly to the feet that-the smell pr'ojecT interlocked that it is necessary to stretchthe 'metal in separating them.

In the present process (if-manufacture, after the plates have been reduced in, thick ness as fer as desired, they are separated by a slow. and expensive hand-process, cleaned undpickled and placed in stacks for genneeling." After annealing; theyere, removed from the annealing 0 ens,' c1eaned and pickledpafterbeing- =sepzirated and again.

rolled, usually cold, thus-producing -the finished piste, ready-for the aPplicaitlion of the; tin J From this description it will "be evident that present con'nnerc inl processes usually require the stacks of plates to be opened twice. in the course of the manufactured the sheets and that the hand processnow in-:. use is slow, expensive and introduces considerable scrap. r

The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a machine for separating the sheets quickly, cheaply and without damage tothem. i

In order to separate the sheets it is neces suryto ucconiplisl'i one or more of the following steps 2' 1st. Break the cementingzlayer of slug which binds the sheets .2nd. To overcome the intimate Contact between the plates. 3rd. To stretch the interlocked parts sufficiently to eliminate s'uch interlocking.

ment which acts to hind the plates together,

is the elastic limit, which, while considerably "1 yer than steel, isfstill snfliciently high-so t it u' considerable u mount of slo 'v ghending may take place without csusingfseparation. My. citperience has shown moreover that the cementand slag, like glass and other silicutes, is stronger in compression tl1ap"in"ten sion, and may be cracked and broken by a! quickly applied force, such as art-blow, butmay not be damaged by a smear force slowly applied. i

ilVhile the statements here made'represent to the-best of my belief the theory governing this sepu ution of the sheets, it should be de'rstoodthat I do not Wish tojhe' restricted to the theory set forth.

in application Serial No. 839,185; filed Muy 18,1914, the. processfor Whiehjthis machine is devised iseletirly; described. 3

\ Referring to theidrawing'siFigufedli. I tions und'irregulnrities ofthe pistes-ere so side elevation of one elenieiitsry form ofiiny 5 I niachin'n Fig. 2,1511 plan-view of the-km chine on it reduced scarier" Fig.3 izle p' fronteIeretion-, als0 one reduced scslc; 4 showsdi sgminmetically a detail of 65 'sponding, upward movement of hammer element of rolls and levers to accomplish substantially the same results as the construction shown in Fig. l.

In the following description of the drawings it should be kept in mind that only the essential elements of my machine are here shown in a diagrammatic manner and it is the general assemblage of certain fundamental elements which is here disclosed, rather than the details of the manner of construction of the elements.

Referring to the figures: (1) represents the frame of the machine, on which hearing blocks (2)-(2-") slide in guideways, (3)-(3 bearing blocks, (2)(2) carry the hammer elements, (4)(-i) which as here constructed are composed of end plates,-

(5) which support rods, (6) on which are loosely mounted the rings, (7) which deliver the blows on the rotation of the device. hammer elements (4), are mounted on shafts (8), and arranged to be driven by chains or belt, numbers (9) (9 from-any source of power, such as shaft (10). sion-pulley (9) maintains the necessary tension on the belt for driving the hammers.

One bearing block, as, for example (9.), is arranged to be pushed downward1y by spring (11), which is adjusted by scre'w. (12), and locked at the desired tension by nuts (13) and (14).

Two sets of rolls (15)(15-) are provided, to serve the double purpose of driving the sheets (17) through the machine and also automatically adjusting the hammer ele ments (4) to the proper separation. The rolls (15)-(l5) are mounted on shafts 1c 1e the gears (18). being provided to drive the two rolls of a set atth samewhich the rolls adjust theseparationz'of the hammer elements (4)-(4*). Lever (21) is pivoted, to the frame (1,) by.pivct ;'(22), and

supported at its upper end byjbea'ri'ng blocks (23). Lever (24) .ispivoted to the frame (1.) by pivot (25). and-at its upperzeud suppo'rtsli'earing block (2)- whicli'carries the" upper hammer element (4'); Af-pin (26) positioncd'hetween levers (21) and ('24) serves as a fulcrum such that an upward movement of, roll .(15) zprotlncesija correcarried by hammer (31).

A spring ten-.

ment (4), the relative amounts of these movements being determined by thc'lengths of the levers. It will'be evident, therefore,

that when the levers are properly adjusted the entrance of the pack of sheets between rolls (15) (15*) will :ultomatically regulate the separation of the hammer eleuiei'its for most eifectivc treatment. The blows of the hammer elements will. thercfi re, be always mitonmticallyadjusted for most vifcctivc operation;

In Fig. 5, reference numeral (30) reprcsents a section of'the beating rollsof the hammer-elcments,while (31) represents the hammers uhieh are inserted in the roll (30) and drawn inward by the'spring (32) acting on plate (33 which is fastened to stem (34) v The shaft on which the roll is mounted is shown in so -tion by (.35).

Fig 6 shows a construction somewhat similar to that of Fig. 5, except that the springs (32) are replaced by air chambers (3(5) in the roll (37) and closed at their outer end by plunger (38) which carries hammer (39). Que end of plunger (38) carries piston (40) which actsto compress the air; as the roll is rotated, tl1us .working agalnstcentrifugal force to produce a resilient blow. A readily compressible liquid acts as .a magnet. The guard (46) fastened to' shaft (4%) is acted upon by spring (47) which serves to counteract the weight of moving parts, thereby assisting in the production of a rapid blow. A shell (48) is shown around coil (45) and is preferably made from magnetic material. A portion of the table (49).on which the platcs'sare laid.

is shown ,with apack of plates (50} inpositionfor'being treated. ()ne terminalfot' the coil (4 is arrangedto be coinicctedzto'a suitable source of potential, while the other terminal isconn'ect'ed to a vibrating contact "(51),f-the;mimplcmentary terminal 52) being shown mounted upon an extension of the yoke (43) The contact is so arrangetlthat 'o'n esnpplyingcurrent the coil \\-'ill l c;e.i1ergizeid, .thus causing the yoke" to be: lifted. The lifting ofth'e yokehon ever opens the circuit, thus causil'igrthe voice {and hammer members carried thereby to llll)|) thus de- "livering the blow. -Thedownward mctioir of the yoke ClOSQSilN."CllffllllhulKl the vvclo is 1th! is repeated very rapidly. I

I ig. .8-shows a-mechaiilsm arranged to separate the be'atingrol's 'in proportion to ethi k g s ot the .pa k of plates to he I link (58) rests upon guide roll (60) which is and force result of the rapid lifted or lowered automatically by passing over the pack (61') of sheets to be separated. (62) represents a stationary pivoted guide roll cooperating with guide roll (60).

In Fig, 1,]a rack (27) 'and pinion (28) are shown,-'thus providing means of ad usting the ratio of the lever elements, as desired. An adjusting screw (29) is also pros vided to make proper I compensation for variation in dimensions, difi'erences between solid pack and loosened pack, etc.

From the above description it will be evident that when the machine is in operation,

with the rolls and hammer-elements rotat-' ing, the sequence of events will be as follows; On feeding the pack (17) between rolls ,(15) (15*),jthese rolls'grip the pack it through the machine'gu'ided. by the channels (3030*). The entrance of the peclrbetween the rolls also automatically spaces the hammer elements so that'when the'p'ack reachesthem it will be subjected to a =series of very rapid blows of the desired force, the blows being delivered both on the top and bottom of-the pack. "As the pack passes through the machine each portion of {the surface is in turn subjected to the blows, thereby separating the plates over their entire surface. It will be noted that the construction of the hammer element results in providing blows of extremeresiliency, since the centrifugal force of the loose rings determines the force of the blow, and the looseness oi tendency fortearing, scratching or otherwise deforming the sheet. On consideration -it will be evident that the rotation of ham- -mers (a),

which are equipped with a considerable number of loose rings, when rotated at a speed of 3,000 revolutions perminute will. give 2,880,000 blows per minute to any portion of the plate,- and each blow will have .a force of many pounds. The succession of blows is t0 readilyseparateplates which are held together most tenaciously. An additional result is to polish thoroughly the side of the plate exposed to the hammering action; This polish may be sutlicient to give a finish which is the equivalerit of a cold rolling process and may therefore materially improve the quality of the finished plate. It appears also, from tests which have been made, that the treatment by numerous rapid blows may act to render the texture of the iron finer.

the rings eliminates all vied for adjusting Obviously various groupings of the ele merits here described may be used, and the same results secured. Thus a very rapid pneumatic hammer, an electric hummer or vibrator and other means may be used to secure the series of rapid impacts, while various mechanical equivalents may be cmployed in place oiithe lever device shown for spacin the hammers;

vIn tiis specification and in the claims the term resilient hammer refers to the member indicated by reference. number 4, or the equivalent of that member, which may obviously be secured by employing springs,

air cushions, or well known equivalents.

The term guides is intended to designate the guide rolls or similar devices which direct the sheets through the machine.

The mechanism assembly; shown diagrammatically in Fig.4, represents one-form of automatic adjusting member, although there will obviously be many other constructions adapted for accomplishing this result, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

.The term driving members designates thelmeans -which are employed to drive Ethc -pacc through the machine. 7 In the device here illustrated the guides or guide rolls act'as driving members, forcing the pack through the machine; This may be accomplished by'separatedriving rollers, however, if desired,' this function Y being substantially the same in either case.

Having now fully. described my inventiori, what I claim as new and desire to-secure by Letters Patent is as follows 1. A machine for separating metal sheets,

comprising a frame, resilient hammer mem bers supported thereon, guides, 'and'connecting membersfor transmitting the motion of the guides to the hammer members.

2. A machine for separating metal sheets containing a frame, a resilienthammer member supported thereby, and a n automatic dethe positionof the harm mer member.

3. A machine for separating metal sheets, comprising-a resilient hammer member, a support for said resilient hammermember, and an automatic spacing-device arranged to regulate the force bf the blow. of the said hammer member.

4. A machine for sep fiifi D g a frameysupporting' a resilient" hammer member, driying members for mm:-

ing the sheets in contzict with the hammer member and guides fer automatically ad-- I justing the position of the hammer member.-

5. A machine for separating metal sheets,

comprising a resilient hammer member, a, frame, a supper-tier the sheets to be separated; and an adjustment for controlling the distance betweell- Said" upp r and aiiti sc hammer member:

fill

6. A msichln for metal sheets, comprising a frame a resilient; hamlnemnember supported thereon, dircting means for con- ;rolling the path bf saicl sheets through the machine, and rollei" members for controllin g the speed of the slug (alts through the rum- '7. A inacliine for separating metal shgot, compn'ising a frame, a, resilient hammer membar supported thereby, guides for said metal sheets, and an ztchusting device for controlling the distance between said ham 8. In a machirle for separating metal plates; a; plurality of rut-ating hammers urrangecl to act; on the plates from two. sur faces simultmieouslm said hammers consist inglof loosely molinted me mbers arranged iu-(nmd 'tlu; periphery of a cylinder.

In testimony whereof, I have hrennto subscribed my name this thirteenth clay of July, 1914. u SAMUEL TROOD.

\Vitnesses:

I. J. Hum, Norman A. MARTIN. 

